Snapchat, the popular social networking app, allows users to upload photos and videos with customized effects and share them within their network. One of the most common and appealing features of this app is the various filters available on Snapchat. These include face filters for your selfies, geofilters, snap lenses, and more.

This guide will take you through the steps to access and use Snapchat filters on your iPhone.

Steps to Enable Filters on Snapchat

Before you use Snapchat filters, you should ensure that they’re activated in the Snapchat app settings.

1. Launch the Snapchat app on your iPhone. The interface will open up with the camera view. On the top left corner of this screen, tap the profile icon.
2. In your profile section, there is a settings icon on the upper right-hand side. Tap that icon to open settings.
3. Scroll down until you find ‘Manage’ under the ‘Who Can…’ section.
4. Tap ‘Manage,’ then toggle on the switches next to ‘Filters’ and ‘Smart Filters.’ This will enable filters on your Snapchat account.

How to Use Default Filters on Snapchat 

After enabling the filters, follow these simple steps below:

1. Open the camera view in your Snapchat app.
2. Take a snap or select a photo from your gallery by clicking on the small photo icon located at the bottom left of your screen.
3. Swipe left or right over your photo to access different filters.

The default filters consist of color changes, speed overlays, weather information, and other data-oriented graphics.

Using Face Filters or Lenses 

Unlike default filters that can be applied after taking a picture or video, face filters or lenses are activated before you start recording or snapping.

1. Launch the Snapchat app on your iPhone.
2. On the camera view, simply tap and hold as if taking a selfie; this will activate lenses or face filter options at your screen’s bottom.
3. Swipe left or right and browse through all available lenses.
4. Select a lens of choice, then take a snap while holding it and release it when done.

One important point to note is that not all of these lenses are available for free—some can be bought via in-app purchases when selecting them as per the trend in 2025.

Geofilters

Snapchat also introduced geofilters back in 2016 as a fun way to share where you are or what you’re up to by adding an overlaying filter available only at certain locations.

1. To use a geofilter, ensure that both the location services on your iPhone and location permission for Snapchat are enabled.
2. Just snap as usual, then swipe left or right—you’ll see some location-specific overlays appear among other traditional filters.
3. Just select one you like most as with other conventional ones.

Customizing Your Own Filters & Lenses 

Not only can users experience ready-made lenses or use popular filters, but they can also customize their own filters for unique snaps.

1. Tap your bitmoji/profile logo found at the top-left in the camera view.
2. You’ll see ‘Create Bitmoji‘ as well as ‘Shop’ among other options—tap ‘Shop.’
3. Choose ‘Filters’—you’ll see different categories for creating custom ones, including birthdays, celebrations, weddings, etc.
4. After customizing one based on preferences laid out for each category (designs templates can be chosen too), you can decide who would be able to use it by setting its range—for instance, within 20 meters from you—and then set its duration: like from 30 minutes up to months!
5. If contented with design elements decided like text, stickers, etc., hit ‘Buy’ (costs differ depending upon chosen range & duration).

You may take screenshots while editing such customized templates thus created in case future reference is needed (or you want to share it elsewhere) since specific creations won’t be saved within Snapchat beyond the duration set while deploying it!

iPhone users can conveniently access an array of interesting filing options through their Snapchat App, whether opting for customary choices provided directly by this platform—inclusive of Android users—or wish to explore creativity using customization features offered by this tool after making necessary adjustments related parameters those overlays thereby enhancing overall messaging shared across single/multiple social media giving rendezvous personalized effect irrespective wherever mobile communication happens over today’s fast-paced digital space. 

FAQs